Mary Beth: Certified Residential Specialist

There are over one million realtors in the world. That’s right, a million.

A lot of them are “hobby” agents. They don’t do a whole lot. Maybe close a transaction or two every year. Maybe not even that much. A lot more of them are mediocre agents. They make a living at it, sort of. But they’re not necessarily that good at what they do.

So how do you find that one-in-a-million agent who’s going to do the best job for you?

One way to start is by looking for an agent who has earned the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, which has been called “the most rigorous and professional residential designation available to Realtors.”

Only 4% of those one million realtors attain the CRS designation. We’re the ones doing the lion’s share of the work in the real estate industry. CRS designees earn, on average, three times more than other realtors without the designation.

To become a CRS designee, an agent has to prove high levels of production. In other words, we have to actually close business – sell houses. And then we take classes – lots and lots of classes. We keep learning – about the market, about the business and about looking out for the interests of our clients.

I decided to pursue the CRS designation for the same reason that I decided to join RE/MAX. I wanted to demonstrate that I’m one of the serious ones. I’m not a “hobby” agent or a part-time agent or a mediocre agent. I’m one of the top 4% -- the successful ones, the ones who take this business seriously. I’m not one of the agents who’s in it only when the market is good and the sailing is smooth.

I’m in it for the long haul.